Article separating mechanism



Feb. 9, 1954 J. J. WETZLER ARTICLE SEPARATING MECHANISM M. N 6 w W JMM/ mm W km 6 She ts-Sheet 2 Feb. 9 1954 J. J. WETZLER ARTICLE SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed April 50, 1948 1 |1|1Ll|||| ||||||||||||||i J m Ii; |||l L INVENTOR- Wez? 16 7 Juaifiz J BY ,Feb. 9, 1954 J. J. WETZLER 2,668,627

ARTICLE SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed April 50, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V ENTOR.

6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 50, 1948 mm mm Q INZENTOR. Jwfuz J W6 Feb. 9, 1954 w z 2,668,627

ARTICLE SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed April 30, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 9, 1954 I J, J, w z R 2,668,627

ARTICLE SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed April so, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet e VIIIIIIII/Il VIIIIIII/IIIIIL 5 INVEN TOR. Jaafzfl J Wezzlar Patented Feb. 9, 1954 ARTICLE SEPARATING MECHANISM Justin J. Wetzler, Chicago, Ill., assignor to General Package Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application April 30, 1948, Serial No. 24,396

Claims.

This invention relates to improved mechanisms for separating stacked articles and is more particularly concerned with separating nested molded pulp articles such as egg cartons of the type which are characterized by being formed with a relatively deep body portion and angularly set edge portions.

Molded pulp articles are conventionally stacked in nested relation and pressed together for shipment in order to utilize smaller containers and conserve shipping space. The compressing of the molded pulp articles into a compact bundle for shipment causes the articles to stick together due to the rough adhering character of the surfaces of the material and makes it desirable for the user to be provided with some means of separating the individual articles from the stack.

It is a general object of this invention to provide mechanism for separating molded pulp egg cartons, or like articles, which are supplied to the user in nested surface adhering stacked relation, which mechanism comprises a stack receiving compartment and elements associated with the open end of the same to support a stack of the nested articles therein and to release successive endmost articles and remove the same from adhering relation with the adjacent articles.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a machine for the purpose described which comprises a vertically supported stack receiving chamber, swingably mounted supporting elements which are adapted to extend into the chamber and support the stack by engagement beneath the marginal portions thereof, separating members which are adapted to be moved into the chamber at a point suificiently above the swingable supporting elements to engage between the margins of the endmost article and the next adjacent article, and temporary stack supporting elements associated therewith for supporting the remainder of the stack while the swingable elements are retracted to free the endmost carton and the separating elements are operated to separate the endmost carton from the stack.

It is another object of the invention to provide a machine for the purpose described which comprises a generally vertical compartment for receiving a stack of the nested articles, movable elements associated with the discharge end of the compartment for supporting the stack by engagement with the margins of the endmost article therein and other movable elements associated therewith for supporting the stack while the first mentioned elements are withdraw from supporting position to release the endmost article in the stack and for disengaging the endmost article from the stack.

.These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the illustrated embodiments thereof which are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine for separating nested molded pulp articles which embodies therein the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the movable elements in different position; I N

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; p

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of the article separating machine;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view to an enlarged scale, taken on the line 11 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a partial plan view similar to Fig. 5 but with the movable elements in a difierent position;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; and T Fig. 10 is a sectional view, taken on the line l0l0 of Fig. 8.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a machine for separating molded pulp egg cartons or similar articles, which incorporates therein the principle features of the invention. The machine comprises in general a central compartment adapted to receive a nested stack of egg cartons and mechanisms on opposite sides of the compartment for engaging the marginal edges of the endmost cartons and for successively separating them from the stack. Since the cartons are symmetrical the mechanisms on the opposite sides of the central compartment comprise duplicate members which are operatively connected to a common drive mechanism. In describing the mechanism duplicate parts will be indicated by the same numerals.

The egg cartons Ill which are indicated in broken line in the drawings are characterized by having hingedly connected body and cover members H and I2, respectively, each of which comprises a relatively deep body portion and angularly set side walls l3. The side walls l3 terminate in laterally extending flange portions I 4 on three sides and are joined on the fourth side by the connecting hinge structure I5. In the open position the hinge structure I5 and adjoining side walls I3 present a central recess I6 which opens downwardly between the body and cover forming portions I I and I2 of the carton.

In this type of carton the tendency of the cartons to adhere toeach other when in nested relation isigreatest in the region of this central recess I6. Consequently, the cartons are most easily separated by engaging the endmost carton adjacent the end of the connecting hinge structure I5 and applying a separating force a direction normal to the plane of the hinge structure of the next adjacent That is, the endmost one of the nested cartons I6 may be most easily separated from the remainder of the stack by engagin the margins of the carton at the end of recess I6 and prying or forcing the same away from the adjacent carton.

Anested stack of .the cartons, with the .open ends uppermost, is placed in the .stack receiving compartment of themachine which is defined by oppositely disposed vertical frame members I 1.. Each of the fnamemembers I7 is provided with a central rib-like ,por t'ion 'IB which is V-shaped in cross section with the apex thereof extending into the stack receiving area and adapted to be received in the V-shaped out-outs or recesses 19 provided inthefianges I4 of the cartons atoppo- .site ends of the centralrecess 16. The V-shaped portions I8 of the frame members I! retain the stack in vertical position and guide the descent of-the-cantons. 7

The vertical frame members .I I are provided at the base with oppositely extendin flanges 20 for supporting attachment to rightand left-hand cover members 24 and 22 which have depending side walls 23 and 24., respectively. The cover members 2| and 22 are attached at 25 and 26 to base members 2! and 2.8, .respectiuely. The base members 24 and 2.8 are detachably-conneeted at 29 and may lie-separated by space-rs (not shown) to vary the distance between the frame members ,4 I and thus provide for operation upon cartons of different size.

The-frame members H are each provided with rearwardly directed laterally spaced'fianges 36. repair of; laterally spaced carton supporting fingers 3| are pivotally mounted byrneams-of a cross pin 32 journaled between the flanges -of..each frame member I; adjacent the base thereof. The supporting fingers 3I extend from the ends of depending arms 33 which are secured at their upper-ends to the cross pin 62. Another pair :of

arms 34 extend npwardlyfrom the 32 and are connected-at their mpperends :by a cross which passes through a' :genera'llyroctangular aperture 36 in the top portion of a slixiably mounted upstanding arm :3 I-

arm 31 :is provided with :a bore 38 its base 39 which slidingly. receives a pin 40, the forward end of which is rigidly secured to the base of the frame member IT: at 4|. The aperture 36 is somewhat larger than thescross 'sectiono'f the :cross pin .35 and p ovides a loose connection between the arms 34 and the slidable arm 51. Upon movement of the arm 33 forwardly on the pin '46 the carton supporting-fingers 3| are :moved to a retracted or non-supporting position (Fig. 3)..

support or retarding member for the stack during the period when the fingers 3I are in retracted position and the carton separating member 44 is operated to separate the endmost carton from the stack.

The carton separating member 44 extends forwardly \of a. base or canry'mg-plate 4-5 which is fCDIl'flGClZBd to upper ends of pairs of parallel links 46 and 41 by means of laterally extending pins 48 and 49 which engage in slots 50 and 5I in the ends of the pairs of links 46 and 41, re- -spectively, to provide therewith a sliding pivotal connection. A leaf spring 52 which is secured at 53 engages the top of one link of each pair 46 and 41. Thepairs of links 46 and 4'! are secured at their opposite ends to parallel transverseshafts54 and 55, respectively.

The shaft 54 is journaled in laterally spaced bearing blocks 56 secured on the base portion 28 of the machine. The shaft. 55 is journaledin bearing blocks 5! which are laterally spaced a somewhat greater distance, the shaft 55 being extended at one end at "58. An arm 59 on the extended end 58 of the -shaft 55 is pivota'lly connected at 66 'to the end of an eccentric arm '6.I.. Th'e eccentric '6] is provided with a transverse slot 62 for receiving a cam ro1ler63 mounted on the end of an arm 66 which is secured at the other end on a power drive shaft .65. The drive shaft is journaled in .a bearing block '66 secured "to the frame 28 and is supplied with a sprocket 6'1 or similar drive element for connection to a source-of power. j

' The carton separating member 44 extends forwardly of the .base 45 and is provided on its top surface with :a recess-68 for receiving theplate 42 when the member 44 is in retracted .position (Figs. .-1 and 2) Abutment shoulders .69 and III at the rearward and forward ends respectively of the recess .68 engage the corresponding ends of the stack supporting or retarding .plate member 42 and control its movement. 7

When the member -44 is its fully retracted position (Figs. 1 and 2a the plate 42 is positioned in the-recess 618. "lheflnd portion -I-I of the member 44 is beneath the base of the rib vI8 of the frame member I] and out of contact with the cartons in the stack which are supported by the fingers 3|.

The operation of the eccentric 64 results in a compoundmovement of the member 44 through the connecting link structure. Initially the member 4-4 .is moved forwardly a horizontal plane.

Subsequent movement is .in an arcuate path downwardly and inwardly. During the initial horizontal movement abutment shoulder 69 carpics the plate #2 inwardly and "positions the end 43 thereof between the lower-most carton in the stack and the next adjacent carton, the end "II of the member 44 being also positioned by the some movement 'betweenthe two .end cartons at the end of the recess 46. As the plate member 42 is moved inwardly the fingers 31 are retracted permitting-the stack to rest on the forward end H of the member 44 and the forward end 43 of the. plate 42 and freeing the endmost carton.

-Further inward movement of the member 44 is accompanied by a downward movement which disengages the abutment shoulder 69 and the plate 42 leaving the plate "42 in extended stack supportingor retarding position while the member 44 continues on itspath moving in the recess 'I 6 of the carton above it and separates the lowermost carton from the stack. Continued operation of the eccentric "61 moves the member 44 upwardly on its return path until the forward abutment shoulder I0 engages the end 43 of the plate 42, after which member 44 moves horizontally to fully retracted position carrying the plate 42 with it and permitting the stack to move downwardly to rest on the fingers 3| which are moved inwardly as the plate 42 is retracted.

A duplicate mechanism is provided on the opposite side of the central stack receiving cornpartment which is operated simultaneously by means of a link I2 which is connected at one end to an arm I3 on the extended end of a transverse shaft corresponding to the shaft 55 and adjustably connected at its other end by bolts 14 and holes 15 with the eccentric 6|.

In using the machine the cartons I!) are positioned in nested relation between the frame members I! with the V-shaped ribs I8 of the frame members I! engaging in the cut-out portions I9 of the carton flanges and with the marginal flange portions of the endmost carton supported on the fingers 3| at opposite sides of the stack adjacent the ends of the central recess I6. Power is then supplied to the shaft 65 to operate the eccentric IiI. The separating members 44 move horizontally inward a short distance and carry with them the plates 42 by engagement of the shoulders 69 with the trailing ends of the plates 42. The plates 42 move in a plane above the supporting fingers 3| and the ends 43 enter the space between the lowermost carton in the stack and the next adjacent carton, in position to support all the cartons above the bottom carton. The initial movement of the members 44 also positions the projecting ends ll of those members between the bottom carton and the next carton, in the same plane as the plates 42.

Movement of the plates 42 inwardly causes the arms 31 to move inwardly on the pins 44 but the initial movement of arms 31 does not disturb the supporting fingers 3| because of the lost motion connections between the arms 34 and the arms 31. The final movement of the plates 42 which bring the ends 43 into stack supporting position also moves the fingers 3| to retracted position, permitting the stack to' rest on the ends 43 of the plates 42 and freeing the lowermost carton. The plates 42 are moved a predetermined distance and then released by disengagement of the shoulders 69 with the ends of the plates. The operation is such that at the point of release the forward ends 43 of the plates 42 are in the stack supporting position and the fingers 3| are completely withdrawn from stack supporting position.

Further movement of the members 44 in a forward direction by operation of the parallel links 46 and 41 moves the end portions II of the separating members 44 downwardly in a curved path to positively separate or disengage the lowermost carton from the next adjacent carton in the stack.

The separating members 44 return in an upwardly curved path and the shoulders engage the forward ends of the plates 42 carrying them backward out of stack engaging position. The return movement of the plates 42 causes the arms 3'! to move on the pins 48 and projects the fingers 3| into supporting position beneath the marginal flange of the lowermost carton.

As successive endmost cartons are separated from the stack by the operation of the members 44 they drop beneath the machine where they are carried away by a conveyor (not shown) to a filling station or the like.

In the modified form of the machine illustrated in Figs. 5 to 10 a compartment for receiving a stack of cartons is formed by opposed vertical plate members which are supported on cross plates 8| and 82, respectively. The plate 8| is rigidly secured to side members 83 of the base frame 84, at one end of the frame. The plate 82 is adjustably secured to the other end of the base frame 84 by bolt-and-slot connections 85 and 88 so that the distance between the vertical members 80 may be adjusted to accommodate cartons of different size. Vertical members 81 which form side guides for the cartons in the stack are secured at their base to a plate 88 which is adjustably connected by bolts 89 and slots 90 to one frame side member 83.

Duplicate stack supporting and separating mechanisms are mounted on the cross plates 8| and 82 for operating on opposite sides of a stack of nested cartons 9| when the latter are placed in the stack receiving space between the vertical plates 80. Only one of these mechanisms will be described in detail.

The mechanism comprises a pair of laterally spaced movable fingers 92 and 93 which are adapted, in one position, to project through an aperture 94 which is located near the-bottom of plate 80, and engage in supporting relation. beneath the marginal flange 95 of the lowermost carton 9|. The fingers 92 and 93 are mounted on a pair of horizontal cam plates 96 and 9?. The cam plates 96 and 91 are mounted for swinging movement on vertical pivots 98 and 99. The pivots 98 and 99 project upwardly from a rigid block structure I80 on opposite sides of a guideway IllI formed therein. The cam plates 95 and 91 are provided with opposed cam surfaces I82 and I43 adjacent the pivots 98 and 98, and a. tension spring I04 connects the free ends of the same.

The block structure I08 in which the guide way IIlI is formed comprises a fixed base portion I45 rigidly secured to the base plate 8I and provided with a longitudinal recess I95 extending inwardly from one side. Atop plate I01 is secured on the base portion I85 with a portion I83 thereof overhanging the recess I85. A removable member IE9 is adapted to be secured in the recess I46. in spaced relation to the inner side of the recess I86. The member I99 is provided with an inwardly projecting shoulder Ill which cooperates with the overhanging portion I43 of the top plate IO'I to form a restricted opening III for the top of the guideway IIJI.

A slide member I|2 having a wedge shaped forward end H3 is mounted for reciprocation in the guideway Itl. The top edge H4 of the end II 3 of slide member II2 is adapted to move in a horizontal plane which is slightly above the plane in which the supporting fingers 92 and 93 move so that forward movement of the member II2 will insert the edge II4 between the lowermost carton 9| and the next adjacent carton in the stack.

The slide member H2 is provided with a cam roller II5 on its top surface which is adapted to engage the cam surfaces I82 and IE3 as the member II2 moves forward to swing the cam plates 96 and 91 about the pivots 98 and 98-130 withdraw the fingers 52 and 93 from supporting relation beneath the flange 95 of the lowermost carton 9| in the stack. At the other end the slide mei ber H2 is provided with a cam roller H5 which is adapted to be engaged by a cam ill eccentrically mounted on the shaft H8. The shaft H8 is supported in spaced bearings H9, I28,

latter are completely retracted.

mounted on the cross plate 81;, The bearing H9 is positioned adjacent an outer side edge of the frame 84 and the shaft H8 extends outside of the frame 84. A pair of sprockets i2 and 122 are secured to the end of the shaft H8. The sprocket 121 is connected by a chain I23 to a duplicate sprocket i2l on the cam shaft H8 which operates the duplicate supporting and separating mechanism at the other end of the machine. The sprocket I22 is provided for connection to a source of power. A tension spring I24 is connected at one end to the slide member H2 and at the other end to the bearing I20 to hold the cam roller H6 in engagement with the cam H1.

in operation the cartons 9| are inserted in the compartment formed by the vertical members 80 and side guides 81 with their central or hinge forming portions extending along the line of movement of the slide members I P2. With the fingers 92 and 93 in supporting relation beneath the marginal flange 94 of the lowermost carton and the slide members H2 retracted, when power is applied to the sprocket I22 to operate the mechanism, the slide members H2 are moved inwardly along the center line of the cartons to engage the edges i 14 thereof between the lower most carton and the next adjacent carton. As the slides H2 move inwardly the cam rollers H5 engage the cam surfaces 102 and ms and swing the plates 96 and 87 apart about the pivot points E36 and 99 to withdraw the fingers 92 and 33 from supportingrelation beneath the marginal flange 94 of the lowermost carton. As the slides :1 l2 move inwardly the wedgesurfaces 25 operate on the lowermost carton to separate it from the next adjacent carton in the stack while the top surfaces I26 support the remainder of the cartons in the stack by engagement beneath the next adjacent carton along the central hinge line. Continued operation causes the slide members 8 12 to be retracted, withdrawing the surfaces I26 from supporting relation beneath the stack, and permitting the fingers 92 and 93 to be moved inwardly by the springs It! into stack supporting relation as the stack moves downwardly to bring the lowermost ,cartonbel'ow the operating plane of the surfaces I26 "of the slides H2 after the The cartons are successively dropped on a conveyor (not shown) or taken away in any, desired manner as they are delivered one by one below the-stack.

While specific details of construction have been referred to in describing the illustrated embodiments of the machine it will be understood that other details of construction may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for separating molded pulp cartons of the type which are characterized by top and bottom members each having relatively deep body portions and angularly set edge portions, the members being connected by a hinge forming portion along two adjoining edge portions thereby forming between the members a downwardly facing longitudinally extending recess when they are in theopened out position, vertical frame members defining a chamber for receiving a stack of said cartons in nested relation, hinged arm members mounted adjacent the lower end of such chamber and adapted to support said stack by engagement beneath opposite edge portions of the lowermost carton in the stack, means for moving said arm members into and out of stack supporting position, reciprocable arm memcarton within said longitudinal recess, means to move said second mentionedarm members into and out of stack supporting position, said arm moving means being. arranged to move said first mentioned arm members out of stack supporting position and to simultaneously move said second mentioned arm members into stack supporting position whereby the endmost carton is released for separation from the stack, and means cooperating with said secondmentioned arm membars for separating said endmost carton from the stack while said second mentioned arm members are in stack supporting position.

2. A machine for separating molded pulp cartons of the type which comprise complementary body and cover members each having angula'rly set peripheral wall members terminating in marginal flange portions and being joined by a hinge-forming portion along a pair or adjacent wall members, said hinge portion defining with the adjoining wall members a downwardly opening recess extending longitudinally of the carton when in the opened out position in which it molded, said machine comprising a base frame, members extending vertically or said base frame for guiding a nested stack of the cartons in a downward direction, a pair of swingably mounted arms adapted in one position to engage in stack supporting relation beneath the marginal flange of the lowermost carton in the stack,reciprcca ble means for swinging said arms out of stack supporting position, a plate mounted on reciprocable means for movement into aid downwardly opening recess between the lowermost carton and the next adjacent carton in the stack for supporting the stack above said lowermost carton, and means for engaging said lowermost carton and separating it from the next adjacent carton when said plate is moved into stack supporting position and said arms are swung out of stack supporting position.

3. A machine for successively separating articles which are stacked nested relation so that they cling together, said machine comprising means for receiving a stack of the articles and for guiding the same in downward movement, swingabl'e means adapted to be moved to a posi tion in supporting relation beneath portions of the lowermost article in the stack, independently mounted rec'iprocable 'meansadapted to be moved to a position in supporting relation beneath portions of the next to the, lowermost article in the stack to support the stack while the lowermost article is released and separated therefrom, means to move said swingable means and said reciprocable means altemately into and out or their article supporting positions, and means independent of said swingable means and reciprocable means for separating said lowermost article from the next succeeding article inthe stack while the stack is supported by said reciprocable means, said separating means being initially movable simultaneously with said re- 'ciprocable means.

4. A machine for separating molded pulp articles and for deliveringth'em one by one from a nested stack, comprising spaced vertical members for receiving a stack of the articles, swingable fingers -for Supporting said articles in the stack by engagement with marginal portions of the lowermost article, article separating members, means to move said separating members be- ,9" tween the lowermost article and the next adjacent article and to force said lowermost article downwardly of the stack to separate the same therefrom, and temporary supporting members independent of said swingable fingers, said supporting members being movable with said article separating members into position to temporarily support the remainder of the stack while said lowermost article is being separated from the stack by further movement of said separating members.

5. A device for successively separating the lowermost article from a nested stack of articles comprising frame members forming a vertical chamber to receive a plurality of the articles, pairs of laterally spaced reciprocable stack supporting members on opposite sides adjacent the bottom of the vertical chamber, reciprocable article separating members mounted between the stack supporting members, reciprocable temporary stack supporting members, and means for reciprocating said reciprocable stack supporting and article separating members in timed relation to position said temporary stack supporting members between the lowermost article and the next adjacent article in said chamber and to withdraw said pairs of stack supporting members from supporting relation with the stack while moving said article separating members simultaneously with said temporary stack supporting members into engaging relation with the lowermost article to separate it from the stack.

6. A machine for successively separating articles which are stacked in nested relation so that they cling together, said machine comprising a hopper for receiving a stack of the nested articles, means adjacent the discharge end of said hopper for supporting the stack, said means being operable to successively release the end article from the stack to permit its removal therefrom, a reciprocable member, means for operating said reciprocable member in timed relation to the operation of said article releasing means to position it at one end of its movement between the end article and the next adjacent article in the stack as the end article is released by said stack supporting means, and means on said reciprocable member for forcing said end article away from the next adjacent article in the stack as said member moves between said articles.

'7. A machine for separating molded pulp cartons of the type which comprise complementary body and cover members each having angularly set peripheral wall members terminating in marginal flange portions and being joined by a hinge-forming portion along a pair of adjacent wall members, said hinge portion defining with the adjoining wall members a downwardly opening recess extending longitudinally of the carton when in the original opened out position in which it is molded, said machine comprising a base frame, members extending vertically of said base frame for guiding a nested stack of the cartons in a downward direction, a pair of swingably mounted arms adapted in one position to engage in stack supporting relation beneath the marginal flange of the lowermost carton in the stack, reciprocable means for swinging said arms out of stack supporting position, a plate mounted on said reciprocable means for movement into said downwardly opening recess between the lowermost carton and the next adjacent carton in the stack for supporting the stack above said lowermost carton, and a cam surface on said plate for engaging said lowermost carton and 10' separating it from the next adjacent carton when said plate is moved into stack supporting position and said arms are swung out of stacksupporting position. v

8. A machine for separating molded pulp cartons of the type which comprise complementary body and cover members each having an-.

it is molded, said machine comprising a base frame, members extending vertically of said base frame for guiding a nested stack of the cartons in a downward direction, a pair of swingably mounted arms adapted in one position to engage in stack supporting relation beneath the marginal flange of the lowermost carton in the stack, reciprocable means for swinging said arms out of stack supporting position, said reciprocable means including plate members mounted thereon for movement into said downwardly opening recess between the lowermost carton and the next adjacent carton in the stack for supporting the stack above said lowermost carton when said swingably mounted arms are swung out of stack supporting position, carton separating members movable in a path beneath said plate members for engaging said lowermost carton and separating it from the next adjacent carton when said plate members are moved into stack supporting position, and mean for moving said carton separating members in said path, said separating members engaging said reciprocable means and moving the same during initial and final portions of the movement thereof.

9. A machine for successively separating articles which are stacked in nested relation so that they cling together, said machine comprising means for receiving a stack of the articles and for guiding th same in downward movement, means swingably mounted for movement into and out of a position in supporting relation beneath portions of the lowermost article in the stack, reciprocable means mounted for movement into and out of a position in supporting relation beneath portions of th next to the lowermost article in the stack and adapted to support the stack While the lowermost article is released and separated therefrom, means to move said swingably mounted means and said reciprocable means alternately into and out of their article supporting positions, and means independent of said swingably mounted means and said reciprocable means for separating said lowermost article from the next succeeding article in the stack while the stack is supported by said reciprocable means, said separating means comprising a reciprocable arm, a pair of parallel links controlling the movement of said arm, and means for oscillating said links to move said arm inwardly of the stack abov the lowermost article and then downwardly of the stack a sufficient distance to insure complete separation of the endmost article from the stack, said article separating means and said reciprocating means being initially movable simultaneously.

10. A machine for separating molded pulp cartons of the type which ar characterized by complementary base and cover members each having relatively deep body portions and angularly set edge portions, the members being connected 1 I by a hinge forming portion along two adjoining edge portions-thereby forming between the members a downwardly-facing longitudinally extending recess, frame members defining a chamber for receiving a plurality of said cartons in nested relation, a plurality of finger-like members movably mounted adjacent the discharge endof said chamber and adapted to engage in supporting relation opposite edge portions of said cartons, means for reciprocating certain of said fingerlik members ina plane extending transversely of said chamber, means for reciprocating certain others'of said finger-like members in a generally parallel plane which is spaced a predetermined distance therefrominwardly of the chamber, said last mentioned members being mounted for movement relative'to said first mentioned members and within'said downwardly facing recess, Said reciprocating means being operative to si-'- multaneously move said first mentioned fingerl ke members out of engaging relation with the cartons whereby the endmost carton is freed for removal from the chamber, movable membersfor separating said endmost carton from the next adjacent carton, and means for initially moving said separating members I simultaneously with said. last mentioned finger-lik members intoposition to engage the endmost carton and there after to completely separate the same from the next adjacent carton.

JUSTIN J. WETZLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STAIES'PATENTS Number Name Date 1,158,045 Graham Oct. 26, 1915 1,270,923 Brenzinger July 2, 1918 1,408,617 McDonald et a1 Mar. 7, 1922 1,722,048 Hill July 23, 1929 1,963,621 Geyer June 19, 1931 2,017,521 Whiting, Jr Oct. 15, 1935 2,138,662 Neumair Nov. 29, 1938 2,385,267 Franz Sept. 18, 1945 

